Panhard and Sagem (Safran group) unveiled the naval version of the WASP remotely-operated turret at this year's Euronaval naval defense and maritime exhibition and conference.

Sea WASP is primarily intended for self-defense against asymmetrical threats of ships that are docked or operating offshore. Fitted with a daytime optronic sensor plus thermal imager, along with an image fusion system to facilitate at-sea detection, it controls a small-caliber machine gun, either 5.56 or 7.62 mm. Sea WASP is very light, weighing just 50 kg, and easy to install. It can be remotely controlled from the ship's operations center, and provides total surveillance of the immediate surroundings, day or night.

Sea WASP lightens the security duties generally assigned to marine commando units, and enables warships facing an asymmetrical threat to avoid using their main large-caliber weapons. It can also function as the main weapon on small ocean or harbor patrol boats.

As a platform for non-lethal systems, Sea WASP represents an innovative solution to improve the security of merchant ships. Installed at strategic points, it can help crews resist boarding attempts while awaiting rescue.

Sagem and Panhard jointly designed the Sea Wasp turret, which is featured in a dynamic demonstration on the Sagem stand B6.

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Sagem , a high-tech company in the Safran group, holds world or European leadership positions in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software for both civil and military markets. Sagem is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems (INS) used in air, land and naval applications. It is also the world leader in helicopter flight controls and the European leader in optronics and tactical UAV systems. Operating across the globe through the Safran group, Sagem and its subsidiaries employ 6,900 people in Europe, Southeast Asia and North America. Sagem is the commercial name of the company Sagem Défense Sécurité.
For more information: www.sagem-ds.com

Panhard, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Auverladn since the beginning of 2005, has been designing and building armoured vehicles for nearly a century. Panhard particularly buids the light armoured vehicle (VBL), manufacturing more than 2000 for some fifteen countries worldwide, including 1600 for the French Army, and the PVP, of which almost 700 are in service in three armed forces. In 2009, Panhard posted turnoer nearing 100 millions euros. For more information: www.panhard.fr SagemPhilippe Wodka-Gallien
Press Relations
+33 (0)1 58 11 19 49
[philippe.wodka-gallien@sagem.com->]